Everton Have Much to Be Positive About Despite David Moyes Departure

As an Everton supporter, it’s a peculiar feeling knowing that the next time David Moyes sets foot in Goodison Park, he will make his way to the opposition dugout.

Even then, despite the fact he will sporting a red tie, Moyes will be welcomed back to Goodison Park. For his reign will certainly be looked back upon fondly. Granted, his 11 years at the club have not been trophy-laden, but the Toffees have certainly progressed on his watch. For many supporters, he has reinstated a sense of pride. Evertonians will always be eternally grateful for that.

Under Moyes, Everton have always been comfortable; Despite a few frights, the club has never been threatened by relegation. The manager has transformed them into regular European challengers. In soccer, as in any other walk of life, familiarity breeds a sense of reassurance. Reassurance that has been welcome to a set of fans who had endured relegation scraps under previous managers Howard Kendall and Walter Smith.

In the aftermath of a typically classy Goodison Park farewell to their long-term gaffer, the focus now shifts towards the future of this grand old Merseyside club. A future which the majority of Evertonians are greeting with a tinge of understandable apprehension.

Nobody knows what is going to happen without Moyes and as of yet, nobody knows who is going to step into his shoes. The time has come for Everton to tip toe away from that comfort zone.

But anyone lucky enough to watch Everton against West Ham would probably enquire as to where this hesitancy derives from, as the team served up a feast of attacking football. So much so, that if it were not for the heroics of James Collins and Jussi Jaaskelainen, David Moyes could have been celebrating his biggest ever win as Everton manager.

To echo the words of the departing boss, Everton didn’t just play like a top-six team, they played like a top, top team. Make no mistake, this side is not far away from getting in amongst those top four places. Solid at the back, composed in midfield and forceful in attack; Everton will give anyone a game on their day.

Despite reports suggesting otherwise, this isn’t just down to a couple of players. There has been plenty said about the potential summer departures of Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, most notably the detrimental effect this would have on the side. But the influence of others has been enormously understated, especially as neither of the aforementioned stars have really flourished in recent weeks.

New club-captain Phil Jagielka is the Premier League’s in-form defender, whereas Seamus Coleman has emerged as one of the countries most dynamic full-backs. Darron Gibson offers an unnerving, unflappable presence in the middle of the park and he is flanked by Steven Pienaar and Kevin Mirallas who provide a major threat in wide areas.

If Baines and Fellaini do walk away, then so be it. They will command hefty transfer fees and plenty of quality will remain. It would not be unreasonable to say that if Everton were to sell one of their prized assets, it could well be a blessing in disguise for the new manager, who would then have money to spend in stamping his own mark on the squad.

But the players should be willing to stay because Everton are a great team capable of challenging for honors. Any new manager coming in should not view this as a repair job, otherwise the hard work done by Moyes will have been for nothing.

As will be the case at Manchester United, the Everton job represents a real opportunity for somebody new to come in and build on some solid foundations put in place by the previous regime.

And what an opportunity. The backdrop the fans provided for their players and manager only further established exactly why Everton are such a special club. The supporters wholeheartedly voiced their appreciation and thanks towards Moyes, but the sporadic baiting of his new side was a quiet reminder that while managers are temporary, the supporters and the football club remain a constant.

There is no point understating the significance this summer holds for Everton; it represents a new chapter in the clubs decorated history. A new manager, a new captain and a flurry of transfer activity surely await Toffees supporters. But despite many outsiders proclaiming the world is about to come crashing down around Everton, there is much for the supporters to be positive and excited about.

Perhaps most importantly of all, that whatever happens, they remain supporters of a truly great football club.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section or on Twitter: @MattJFootball

About Matt Jones

Matt has been writing for World Soccer Talk for more than two years, contributing pieces about myriad topics and regularly lending his voice to the podcast.
Matt has covered games live for the website from a host of venues, including Wembley, London and the ANZ Stadium, Sydney. He is a regular at Goodison Park where he watches his beloved Everton, but harbours an unyielding interest in all aspects of European soccer.
You can get in touch with Matt via e-mail at mattjones@worldsoccertalk.com or on Twitter @MattJFootball
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7 Responses to Everton Have Much to Be Positive About Despite David Moyes Departure

If Everton add a couple of quality signing they could be among the top sides in the EPL and well worth a shout for a top 4 spot. The problem is that with Moyes leaving the new manager will have to start over as it will take time for his methods to take shape. Also losing Baines and Fellaini (most likely one or both) will also be hard on the club. If both players stay then the new manager will have an easier time and the club will continue with what has been left behind by Moyes.

I’m sad regarding Moyes leaving but I’ve sort of come to grips with it. I always admired his honesty and integrity. When Neville flopped, trying to buy a foul, Moyes called him out on it. When Fellaini headbutted Shawcross, Moyes ripped into him. He wasn’t afraid to tell the truth, good or bad.

In the end, Moyes was always a solid rock to lean my Everton faith against. Now that the rock is gone, I feel like I’m sitting on the top of a fence and don’t know which side Everton will end up on. The perch is precarious and it wouldn’t take much to fall into the abyss.

I’m not positive Roberto Martinez is the best guy to take over. Wigan getting relegated and having massive troubles defending concern me. But I almost want him to get the job just because of how many horrible managers are being linked. Martinez does have experience with low finances so is better equipped to deal with Everton’s situation than most.

My main worry is, if Fellaini and Baines leave, that will mean tons of money coming in. The next manager will need to spend that money wisely since it might be the last money he’ll see for a long time. Can’t have him buying up every mediocre player available.